10 Tips to Prepare For Finals at TAMUK

It’s what you’ve heard about all semester. As it finally approaches, here are 10 tips to follow to help you stay on top of your game when it comes time to take your exams.

[box type=”shadow” align=”alignleft” ]1. Don’t study in your room.

Do you ever wonder why classrooms are always full of the most uncomfortable chairs possible? There’s a reason for that, though.

If classrooms were filled with memory foam mattresses instead, it’s safe to say almost every student will be too comfortable to even pay attention. The same mindset should go for finals. Rather than studying in your room, where that comfy bed is always within sight, it’s best to head to a study room or the library.

It’s an easy way to stay focused.[/box]

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2. Study in groups.

A group is easily more motivating than preparing for a final alone. A study done by the Washington University in St. Louis found that students who study in groups are more likely to be involved, as they absorb material better and communicate about the material more, which helps in improving their understanding of the content.

Even if you decide to study with friends who are not in the same class, it’s still a good motivator to keep you going.[/box]

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3. Don’t panic too much during the test.

Most tests will have multiple questions or a really long essay.

It’s highly unlikely that you’ll know every answer, so it’s best to answer all the ones you know first instead of stressing on the few that you don’t. That way, you give yourself more time to figure out the more complicated questions with the remaining time.[/box]

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4. Eat right.

Eating is an action that goes relatively unnoticed during finals, but it’s actually very important. During this week, eating out will usually be the most convenient option.

Your diet will affect how well you retain information, how well you can focus. Drinking hot cocoa will help you with cognitive functions. It’s also best to have a balanced diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and complex carbs, for the best results.[/box]

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5. Don’t party on Dead Day.

Dead Day is a great day to catch up on everything you need to study for, but it’s also the most tempting day to party in the semester.

Think about it, you’ve been so stressed lately thinking about these exams, and an opportunity to blow a lot of steam off and party presents itself.

Most people end up doing it, but if you can stay in and study instead, you can party a lot harder over the break knowing that your grades are that much better than everybody else’s.[/box]

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6. Give yourself breaks.

Taking breaks is an essential part of the studying process. It gives you time to retain all the information you’ve accumulated and it just gives you some rest, which is well deserved if you studied hard.

This is not to say you should do something counter-productive, like play video games or doing anything else that keeps your brain running. It’s best to spend the time relaxing, listening to music, or to take a nap (After all, who doesn’t love naps?)[/box]

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7. Don’t cram.

Cramming has never been a good idea, and Finals is most certainly no exception.

Of course, there is going to be an inevitable amount of cramming that must be done, especially if you have tests scheduled on the same day.

The way to avoid all that unnecessary cramming though is to plan out what you’re going to study and when. If you can stick to it, you won’t feel nearly as stressed out when it comes to the exam.[/box]

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8. Be prepared.

Preparation is the name of the game. It’s not only important to plan out your study schedule, but it’s also important to be sure of what’s going to be on each exam.

All professors are different, and their exams will reflect that. While some professors will give you a comprehensive test that covers all the content in the semester, some may just give a test over the last few chapters.

If you don’t know already, ask your professor what’s in store for you during their Final. That way, you know exactly what kind of enemy you’re going against (and yes, finals are enemies).[/box]

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9. Stay off Facebook.

This is easily the hardest tip, for many reasons. Not only is Facebook the best way to distract you and keep you from studying, but it will also be overflowing with statuses from your “friends” complaining of how hard of a time they’re having with Finals.

Those statuses, regardless of how funny or relatable they may be, will not help you reach your goal at all. To quote Rudyard Kipling, if you can manage to steer clear of Facebook, “Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”[/box]

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10. Sleep.

Sleep is really the only way you can effectively retain all the information you’ve studied, so you should still try to get eight hours of it if possible.

If you don’t sleep, your body has a harder time extracting glucose from your bloodstream, making it harder for your brain to process information. In fact, a professor at the University of Tel Aviv conducted a study in which students got an hour less of sleep. He found that “a loss of one hour of sleep is equivalent to [the loss of] two years of cognitive maturation and development.”

Although that may sound a bit exaggerated, it’s important to get your rest so you can knock down all your exams.[/box]